Temperatures are expected to plummet to -10C tonight in some parts of Yorkshire tonight, marking potentially the coldest night of the winter season.
Wednesday morning saw parts of the county under ice and snow warnings, with the Met Office indicating the likelihood of further alerts as the week progresses.
In Whernside, North Yorkshire, the Met Office predicts temperatures will drop to -10C at midnight but forecasters say it will actually feel like -16C.
Elsewhere, in Scotland and northern England areas they could see temperatures drop to -15C on Thursday night, while sub-zero conditions may envelop the nation.
Should temperatures reach -14C, they would match the chilliest January night of last year, observed in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands on 17 January 2024.
However, a dip to -16C would represent the most severe January cold in the UK in 15 years, since Altnaharra in the Highlands recorded -22.3C on 8 January 2010, as per Met Office statistics. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has responded by prolonging its cold weather health alert across England through to Sunday.
An escalation in mortalities is probable given that amber alerts initiated on Thursday have been prolonged until 12 January, the agency warns. Dr Agostinho Sousa from UKHSA commented on the extended alert due to continuing low temperatures and anticipated snow and icy conditions, stating: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.”
“This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.”, reports the Mirror.
“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
The Met Office’s yellow weather warning for snow across southern counties in England will remain until midnight Wednesday. Up to 4in (10cm) of fresh snow is expected to hit these areas on Wednesday afternoon, especially over higher ground.
Weather warnings announced for Tuesday cover snow and ice in the Midlands, parts of North Wales, the North West, western and northern Scotland, and Northern Ireland through until midday Wednesday. Following recent widespread flooding, a severe flood warning was in place for Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire after firefighters rescued many individuals from rising water levels.
Numerous flood warnings and alerts persist throughout England, although over 200 have been revoked in the past day, and drier weather is anticipated in the upcoming days. One flood warning continues for the River Wye at Monmouth, and four alerts remain for elsewhere in Wales as of Wednesday, according to Natural Resources Wales.
Get all the latest and breaking news in Yorkshire by signing up to our newsletter here.